Friday, September 23, 2005

Further signs of the bankruptcy of the Tonys. According to Michael Riedel today,

In response to all the cast replacements at long-running shows, the Tony Awards have added a new category: Best Re-creation of a Role. Too late for Harvey Fierstein in "Fiddler" but just in time for Rosie O'Donnell, his new goyische Golde!

Yes, I'm all for lavishing praise and awards a plenty on great performances. But make no mistake, this is a prodcuer's ploy to use Tony awards/nominations as a carrot to lure big name stars to their struggling long-run products. Namely, Hollywood stars for whom the salaries alone will not be enough.

And this, just when speculation was rife this year that the Best Revival categories (at least for Musicals) has outlived its purpose and might be scrapped. Recreating plays, out. Recreating people, in!